Peru: Supporters of "˜Shining Path" accused of advocating terrorism

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Latin America | 16 May 2017

According to a report by Peru 21 on‚ 4 May 2017, the Public Prosecutor's Office has opened an investigation into the Movement for Amnesty and Fundamental Rights (MOVADEF) for allegedly advocating terrorism. This came after a protest march in which members of this movement carried banners with pictures of Abimael Guzmƒ¡n and Florindo Flores Hala Artemio (two of the most brutal terrorists ever jailed in Peru), demanding their release from prison. Several congressmen questioned whether the national police force should guard a protest march of this nature. Rossana Ramirez, persecution analyst at World Watch Research, explains: "MOVADEF identifies itself as being the political arm of Shining Path, the most dangerous terrorist group in the history of Peru which was active in the period 1970-1992. Displaying pictures of the most infamous Shining Path terrorists and demanding their release must surely be interpreted as supporting terrorist doctrine. If this is not recognized as being a criminal act advocating terrorism, such marches will be allowed to continue with the aim of attracting more adherents, especially young people from the poorest regions. MOVADEF is already supported by the third biggest political body in the country and any increase in power could make it difficult for the state to control and spell danger for Christians. In the past, Shining Path had kidnapped, tortured and killed Christians, both for faith-related reasons and simply to induce panic in the population. Christian observers are watching the course of the investigation carefully."